How Kyphoplasty Helps Relieve the Pain of Compression Fractures?

Back pain sucks. Thanks to biology and the way the back is engaged in nearly every physical movement, pain anywhere in the back can be life-altering – even if only temporarily. But there are treatments. One of them is kyphoplasty. It is an alternative and minimally invasive treatment for dealing with compression fractures in the spine.

Family doctors and GPs tend to look at kyphoplasty as a treatment of last resort. On the other hand, pain management doctors are more likely to recommend it as an alternative to long-term pain medications and invasive surgeries. From the patient’s perspective, making a wise decision is rooted in understanding the mechanics of compression fractures and how kyphoplasty addresses them.

Compression Fractures: The Basics

Compression fractures of the spine are easy enough to understand. A compression fracture occurs when a vertebra collapses on itself. Whether it is because of disease or injury, the bone can no longer support the weight and pressure it is normally designed to bear. It breaks and collapses.

The fractures are more common as people grow older. That’s why it is not unusual for seniors to be noticeably shorter in their golden years. The unfortunate thing is that compression fractures do not just reduce the total length of the spine. They also create significant pain and discomfort.

4 Mechanisms of Pain

The pain associated with compression fractures can range from mild to quite severe. Although not the norm, it can be severe enough to render a person partially or fully disabled. As for the mechanics of the pain, it is the result of one or more of the following conditions:

• Nerve Irritation – A fractured vertebra can put pressure on surrounding nerves. The nerves respond by sending pain signals to the brain.

• Inflammation – Inflammation is a normal result of compression fractures. It encourages chemical signals that go on to sensitize pain receptors.

• Biomechanical Changes – A compression fracture can cause misalignment of the spine, leading to stress on the surrounding muscles and joints. This creates further inflammation and potential nerve irritation.

• Loss of Mobility – Pain can encourage a patient to limit mobility. This can lead to stiffness and muscle spasms, both of which contribute to developing a loop of increased pain and reduced mobility.

The temptation is to treat compression fractures exclusively with pain medication. While medications can offer some relief, they do not actually get to the root of the problem: a fractured bone. Therein lies the difference. Kyphoplasty is designed specifically to address the root cause.

What It Is, What It Does

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore a fractured vertebra. It’s actually quite simple from an engineering standpoint. How does it work? The explanation comes from Lone Star Pain Medicine in Weatherford, Texas, where kyphoplasty is one procedure they use to help patients.

The procedure starts with identifying the target vertebrae. Once identified, a small incision is made in the skin. A balloon is then inserted through the incision and into the targeted vertebra. It is inflated and removed. The cavity left behind is filled with bone cement.

Kyphoplasty pain relief is the result of returning the compressed bone to its normal size and then permanently stabilizing it. Any nerve impingement is relieved, bringing a stop to the irritation. Kyphoplasty also restores biomechanical structure and function and allows for full mobility.

Kyphoplasty is obviously not appropriate for every type of back injury or disease. But it does work well for treating compression fractures. There are risks and potential side effects, so it is important that patients talk through the procedure with their doctors before moving forward.

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